Symptoms of contact dermatitis, burning and itching are the most obvious

There are many types of dermatitis, the most common one is contact dermatitis, also called toxic dermatitis. It is an inflammatory reaction caused by skin contact with some external irritants, which will have symptoms of itching. It is necessary to find the cause and treat the symptoms in time.

1. Symptoms and Signs

Skin lesions are generally limited to the contact areas, mostly exposed areas, with clear boundaries and edges, and the shape is roughly consistent with the contact objects. However, the disease may also occur due to scratching or other reasons that cause the contact object to be brought to other parts of the body, or even spread throughout the body because the body is in a highly sensitive state (Figures 1-7).

After eliminating the cause and treating it properly, it usually heals within a few days or more than ten days. However, due to scratching or improper treatment, infection or failure to remove irritants in time, the disease may be prolonged and become chronic dermatitis, similar to chronic eczema.

The patients will feel burning and itching, and in severe cases, they will feel pain. A small number of patients, especially those with widespread rash all over the body, may sometimes experience systemic reactions such as chills, fever, nausea, and headache.

2. Medication

1. General treatment

(1) First, the cause of the disease should be investigated, further exposure should be avoided, the irritant should be removed, and the patient should be informed to avoid future exposure to the disease.

(2) Avoid scratching, rubbing, washing with hot or soapy water, and other additional stimulation. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, clean the stomach and intestines, keep bowel movements smooth, and avoid excessive mental stress.

(3) Drug therapy: Desensitization and antipruritic measures are the mainstays. For mild cases, oral or injected antihistamines can be used. For cases with large skin lesions and significant inflammation, 10% calcium gluconate or 10% sodium thiosulfate can be injected intravenously. For patients with severe generalized disease, short-term use of corticosteroids can be used, such as oral prednisone 20-30 mg/d or intramuscular injection of betamethasone/betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone), or intravenous infusion of hydrocortisone or dexamethasone. Antibiotics can be used as appropriate for those who are infected.

(4) External therapy: The basic principles are the same as those for acute eczema. According to the condition of skin lesions, choose appropriate dosage forms and drugs, with anti-inflammatory, astringent and symptomatic relief as the principles. Irritating or allergenic drugs are prohibited. In the acute stage, if there is obvious redness, swelling, inflammation, exudation and erosion, you can use compound copper sulfate solution (Daribos solution) or 3% boric acid solution for wet compresses. For mild cases, you can use corticosteroid emulsions or astringent and anti-inflammatory ointments for external use. If chronic inflammation has formed, low-concentration keratinizers can be used as appropriate, such as 3% black bean distillate oil or bran distillate oil paste, corticosteroids, etc., which can be made into ointments or emulsions for external use.

2. Traditional Chinese Medicine

Treatment principles: clearing heat, cooling blood and detoxifying. The internal prescription is Longdan Xiegan Decoction with modifications. Remove Bupleurum and Angelica and add Imperata root, Taraxacum herb, and Isatis indigotica leaf. For dry stool, add Rhubarb. For excessive dampness, add Alisma orientalis, Poria cocos, and Artemisia capillaris. For fever, add Gypsum. Those with mild symptoms can take Longdan Xiegan Pills.